US Commerce Chief Admits to Epstein Island Lunch however Denies Closer Ties

Introduction

On February 10, 2026, a seismic political match spread out on Capitol Hill. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a outstanding billionaire and shut best friend of President Donald Trump, testified prior to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. During the listening to, Lutnick made a startling admission: he had certainly lunched at the non-public island of the overdue convicted intercourse culprit Jeffrey Epstein in 2012. This confession at once contradicted previous statements through which he claimed to have severed all ties with Epstein greater than 20 years in the past. The revelation ignited a firestorm of grievance, with lawmakers from each the Democratic and Republican events not easy his rapid resignation. Yet, the White House abruptly declared its unwavering reinforce for Lutnick, pointing out he stays a very important member of the supervision. This article delves deep into the information surrounding Lutnick’s admission, examines the contradictions in his narrative, explores the political ramifications, and offers context in regards to the infamous Epstein community that continues to ensnare robust figures.

Key Points

The Core Admission

During the Senate listening to, Lutnick explicitly showed: “We had lunch on the island, that is true, for an hour.” He insisted the 2012 seek advice from to Little Saint James—the non-public island owned through Jeffrey Epstein in america Virgin Islands—used to be a part of a circle of relatives holiday. He said he used to be accompanied through his spouse, youngsters, and nannies, and that but even so any other circle of relatives and island body of workers, he noticed not anything untoward.

Denial of a Close Relationship

Lutnick vigorously denied having any vital courting with Epstein. He instructed the committee, “Over a 14‑year period, I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person.” He referred to the duration beginning in 2005 when he moved to a New York house the place Epstein used to be a neighbor, claiming their interactions have been minimum.

Contradictory Evidence

Documents launched through america Department of Justice published that Lutnick had deliberate conferences with Epstein past 2005. These come with a scheduled lunch on Epstein’s island in 2012 and a gathering at Epstein’s New York City house in May 2011. Additionally, information indicated that Lutnick and Epstein as soon as become joint traders in a business, suggesting a commerce connection. Lutnick denied the 2011 dinner, acknowledging simplest the deliberate assembly however claiming it by no means passed off.

Bipartisan Calls for Resignation

High‑profile lawmakers from each events have known as for Lutnick to step down. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff said, “Lutnick has no business being our Commerce Secretary, and he should resign immediately.” Republican Representative Thomas Massie echoed the sentiment on CNN, bringing up identical resignations within the United Kingdom. Democratic Representative Robert Garcia accused Lutnick of mendacity, pointing to the joint entrepreneur proof.

White House Support

Despite the mounting force, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt instructed journalists that President Trump “fully supports” Lutnick and that he “remains a very important member” of the group. White House spokesman Kush Desai added that all of the supervision, together with the Commerce Department, stays excited by handing over for the American other folks.

Background

Who Is Howard Lutnick?

Howard Lutnick is a billionaire businessman who served as leader government of Cantor Fitzgerald, a significant monetary services and products business, prior to his appointment as US Secretary of Commerce in 2025 through President Donald Trump. A detailed confidant of Trump, Lutnick has been a outstanding determine in New York’s monetary global for many years. His nomination to the Commerce put up used to be to begin with met with rather little controversy, however his previous associations with Jeffrey Epstein have since turn out to be a point of interest of scrutiny.

Jeffrey Epstein and Little Saint James

Jeffrey Epstein used to be a financier who used to be convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from underage women. He died in a New York prison in 2019 whilst looking ahead to trial on further intercourse‑trafficking fees. Epstein owned a non-public island in america Virgin Islands known as Little Saint James, which become infamously referred to as “Epstein Island.” Prosecutors alleged that Epstein used the island as a secluded location the place he trafficked minors for intercourse and hosted robust folks from politics, investment, and leisure. The island’s recognition has made any affiliation with it a possible scandal for the ones connected to it.

Timeline of Lutnick’s Contacts with Epstein

According to Lutnick’s testimony, he first met Epstein round 2005 after shifting to a Manhattan place of abode the place Epstein used to be additionally a neighbor. He claimed the connection used to be superficial and that he successfully reduce ties lengthy prior to. However, information display that during May 2011, there used to be a deliberate assembly at Epstein’s New York house. Then, in 2012, Lutnick traveled to Little Saint James together with his circle of relatives for a lunch that lasted about an hour. The Justice Department paperwork additionally published a joint commerce entrepreneur between the 2 males, the main points of which stay unclear however point out a monetary entanglement.

The Political Context

Lutnick’s admission comes amid a broader unlock of information associated with the Epstein case through america